Ramseyer-Northern Bible Society Collection

Hanukkah Lights

The eight-candled menorah, which is light one candle at a time during the
Festival of Hanukkah, is a remembrance of the restoration of the Temple in
165 BCE. When the Temple was recaptured, it was found that all the consecrated
oil had been tampered with, except for one jar, which held only enough oil for
one day. However, the oil miraculously lasted for the eight days of the Festival.

This story is recounted in the Talmud:

What is [the reason of] Hanukkah? For our Rabbis taught: On the twenty-fifth
of Kislew [commence] the days of Hanukkah, which are eight days on which a lamentation
for the dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks entered the Temple,
they defiled all the oils therein, and when the Hasmonean dynasty prevailed against
and defeated them, they made search and found only one cruse of oil which lay
with the seal of the High Priest, but which contained sufficient for one day’s
lighting only; yet a miracle was wrought therein and they lit [the lamp] therewith
for eight days. The following year these [days] were appointed a Festival with
[the recital of] Hallel and thanksgiving.